Updated June 2026
IELTS vs TOEFL — Which Test Should You Take?
A complete side-by-side comparison of format, scoring, difficulty, cost and global acceptance — to help you choose the right test.
Quick answer — choose based on your goal
UK / Australia / Canada immigration
IELTS General Training
UK / Australian university
Either — most accept both
US university
TOEFL slightly preferred, IELTS accepted
Canadian university
Either — check the specific programme
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IELTS vs TOEFL — Side-by-Side Comparison
| IELTS Academic / GT | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Score scale | Bands 1–9 (0.5 increments) | 0–120 points |
| Test duration | 2 hrs 45 min | ~2 hrs (since 2023 format change) |
| Listening | 30 min · 4 sections · 40 questions | 36 min · conversations + lectures · 28 questions |
| Reading | 60 min · 3 passages · 40 questions | 35 min · 2 passages · 20 questions |
| Writing | 60 min · Task 1 (150 words) + Task 2 (250 words) | 29 min · Integrated + Academic Discussion (~100 words) |
| Speaking | 11–14 min · Live interview with examiner | ~16 min · Recorded responses (no live examiner) |
| Average cost | ~USD 215–250 | ~USD 200–245 |
| Results timeline | 3–5 days (online delivery) | 4–8 days |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Accepted by | 11,000+ organisations worldwide | 12,500+ organisations worldwide |
| Accent in audio | British, Australian, American, Canadian | Primarily North American |
| Retake policy | Any time · One Skill Retake (OSR) available | Once every 3 days · up to 5× per year |
IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Is Easier?
Neither test is objectively easier — it depends on your strengths and your English background:
- IELTS Speaking is a live conversation with a trained examiner. Some students find this more natural and less stressful than recording responses alone. Others find the pressure of a face-to-face interaction harder.
- TOEFL Speaking is recorded — you speak into a microphone with no examiner. For students who freeze in interviews, this can be an advantage.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) requires describing a graph or chart — a skill that needs specific practice. TOEFL Writing Task 1 is an integrated task (read + listen + write).
- TOEFL Reading is based on US university textbook passages with a North American academic style. IELTS Reading uses a broader mix of sources and styles.
Bottom line: Most students find the test they practise more to be the easier one. Take a free practice test for each and compare.
IELTS vs TOEFL for Canada, Australia, UK and USA
| Country / Purpose | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Canada — permanent residency | ✅ IELTS General Training (primary) | ⚠️ Not accepted for Express Entry PR |
| Canada — university study | ✅ Accepted | ✅ Accepted |
| Australia — skilled migration | ✅ IELTS General Training (standard) | ⚠️ Check specific visa subclass |
| Australia — university | ✅ Accepted | ✅ Accepted (most universities) |
| UK — student visa (Tier 4) | ✅ IELTS Academic (UKVI-approved) | ⚠️ TOEFL iBT Home Edition not accepted for UK visas |
| USA — university admission | ✅ Widely accepted | ✅ Historically preferred |
| New Zealand — immigration | ✅ Standard requirement | ⚠️ Limited acceptance |
Important: Requirements change. Always verify directly with the immigration authority, university admissions office or visa application portal before choosing your test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither test is objectively easier — it depends on your strengths. IELTS has a live Speaking
interview; TOEFL uses recorded responses. Most students find the test they practise more to be the
easier one. Take a free practice test for both before deciding.
For Canadian permanent residency (Express Entry), IELTS General Training is the standard. TOEFL is
not accepted for most PR pathways. For study permits, both are accepted — check your specific
university's requirements.
Yes — the vast majority of universities in the UK, Australia, USA, Canada and New Zealand accept
both. Check each institution's admissions page for the specific minimum score on each test, as they
are usually set separately.
Yes, there is no rule against taking both. Some students apply to multiple destinations
simultaneously and need scores for both tests. However, thorough preparation for one test is more
effective than splitting practice time between two.